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Christine Wagner is gazing into the future and trying to do her best to serve her community at the same time. The head of New Canaan's Town Center Planning Group is helping to create a master plan for buildings and infrastructure downtown. To do that, she says, she has to look ahead and do what's best for the town.
"I believe in community service and volunteering," said Wagner, a resident for 15 years. "I'm home with my children and I want to set an example for them. They know of the volunteer jobs that I do. I want them to see that there's ways to volunteer and make a difference." [break here]
That service currently includes looking at several downtown buildings, including Town Hall and the New Canaan Library, and deciding if they should be rebuilt or renovated.
Wagner previously chaired the New Canaan High School Building Committee, which oversaw a $74 million renovation. Before moving to New Canaan, she worked in New York City's Office of Management and Budget.
Much like the school study, the potential master plan has its share of critics. Some say a new plan duplicates previous facilities reviews. Others say the town cannot afford it in a difficult economic period. Wagner said it's important to get a fresh look at possibilities for the future. "Asking questions will either validate that you're going the right way or not. I'd rather ask those questions," she said.
Despite the resignation of Mike Hobbs and Jim Beall as members of the downtown plan group, Wagner said she has no plans to leave. She believes the current membership including Penny Rashin and Neil Budnick is as strong as ever. First Selectman Jeb Walker is expected to name replacements for Beall and Hobbs.
"The first selectman is behind us. The Town Council is behind us," Wagner said. "There are people who are knowledgeable about what's going on. I think New Canaan wants to [study] this."
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